Ulefone Armor X31 Pro vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Rugged Showdown of Efficiency and Speed

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. But within that segment, priorities diverge. The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro emphasizes long-term endurance with a newer, more efficient chipset, while the Doogee S98 Pro prioritizes quicker performance and faster charging with a slightly older platform. This comparison dissects these trade-offs to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained battery life and long-term efficiency, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 6300 chipset, coupled with impressive 81:30h endurance, outweighs the Doogee S98 Pro’s faster charging and marginally quicker CPU clock speeds for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor X31 Pro Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, December 212022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, January 01Available. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions173.8 x 82 x 13.7 mm (6.84 x 3.23 x 0.54 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight306 g (10.79 oz)320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF 25 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared lights 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 6050 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Black/Orange, Black/GreenBlack
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 470 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery81:30h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone Armor X31 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (81:30h endurance)
  • More efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset
  • Long-term battery health with 1000 charge cycles

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Potentially less raw CPU power for demanding tasks

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Faster charging (33W wired, 15W wireless)
  • Slightly higher CPU clock speeds
  • Potentially better performance in short bursts

  • Less efficient Helio G96 chipset
  • Shorter battery life compared to Ulefone

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but given the market segment, both likely feature durable, if not cutting-edge, LCD panels. The focus here isn't pixel density or refresh rates, but visibility in direct sunlight and scratch resistance. Expect both to prioritize practicality over visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial to reinforce the rugged design.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are unavailable, but in this price bracket, sensor size and image processing are more critical than megapixel count. We can assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend on the primary sensor and software optimization. The absence of information prevents a meaningful comparison beyond stating that both will likely offer acceptable, but not exceptional, image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Doogee’s Helio G96 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and improved battery life. While the G96 boasts slightly higher CPU clock speeds (2.05 GHz vs 2.4 GHz on the A76 cores), the Dimensity 6300’s more modern architecture and efficiency gains likely result in comparable, if not superior, real-world performance, especially in sustained tasks. The Dimensity 6300’s CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for a balance of performance and efficiency, while the G96 (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) leans more towards raw speed at the expense of power.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro’s 81:30h endurance is a standout feature. This suggests a larger battery capacity and, crucially, the efficiency of the Dimensity 6300 chipset. The Doogee S98 Pro compensates with faster charging – 33W wired and 15W wireless – allowing for quicker top-ups. However, faster charging doesn’t negate the benefit of a significantly longer runtime. The Ulefone also boasts 1000 charge cycles, indicating a focus on long-term battery health, a crucial factor for users who rely on their phones for extended periods.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro if you need a phone that can reliably last through multi-day expeditions, work in remote locations without access to power, or simply value long-term battery health with its 1000 charge cycles. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer quicker app loading times, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the convenience of 33W wired and 15W wireless charging for faster top-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 6300 in the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games?
While the Helio G96 is marketed towards gaming, the Dimensity 6300’s modern architecture and efficiency improvements mean it can handle most mobile games at medium settings. The 6nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling, potentially leading to more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions compared to the 12nm G96.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro with the 18W charger?
Given the likely larger battery capacity required to achieve 81:30h endurance, a full charge with the 18W charger will likely take around 3-4 hours. While slower than the Doogee S98 Pro, the extended battery life minimizes the need for frequent full charges.
❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the Doogee S98 Pro significantly slower than the 33W wired charging?
Yes, 15W wireless charging is considerably slower than 33W wired charging. Expect a full wireless charge to take upwards of 5-6 hours. It's best suited for overnight charging or topping up the battery when a wired connection isn't convenient.